June 09, 2010, 8:08AM

"That, right there, is what you do not want to see." That was the comment from pilot Tom Hutchings as he steered his Cessna 182 over a vast slick of oil about 30 miles off the Alabama coast. A sheen of petroleum rippled in the sunlight, stretching endlessly toward the Gulf of Mexico horizon. But the sight that disturbed... Full story »

May 06, 2010, 7:00AM

After speaking with members of the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council, charter boat captains, scientists and others on Wednesday, a NOAA fisheries administrator said there was not enough consensus to open red snapper season earlier than June 1. Full story »

May 05, 2010, 7:34AM

The view was good from the seat of the Black Hawk helicopter, cruising low and fast over the Alabama coastline. Pristine beaches, calm, emerald water and not a drop of oil to be seen. But the man in the jump seat, crimson necktie flapping in the wind, was displeased. "We don't have time," Gov. Bob Riley said, shouting over... Full story »

May 03, 2010, 1:06PM

Heavy rain along the Gulf Coast is helping to disperse the oil slick from BP's ruptured Deepwater Horizon rig, potentially diluting its environmental impact, state and federal officials said today. Full story »

May 01, 2010, 8:10PM

The White House announced today that President Barack Obama will visit the Gulf Coast on Sunday, but said his itinerary was still being finalized and specific travel plans were not disclosed. Full story »

April 30, 2010, 5:38PM

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin weighed in on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in a new posting on her Facebook page, saying she was "shocked and saddened" by the catastrophe and that she was praying for residents of the Gulf Coast. Full story »

April 30, 2010, 12:28PM

Gov. Bob Riley today canceled his plans to depart for an economic development mission to India on Saturday, saying he will remain in Alabama to deal with the Gulf of Mexico oil slick that is threatening the state's coastline. Full story »

April 29, 2010, 3:00PM

MOBILE, Ala. -- In a press conference earlier today, Gov. Bob Riley said the extent of damage from the Gulf Coast oil slick would be determined by wind patterns this weekend, but expressed confidence in the response to the crisis. Full story »

April 29, 2010, 11:35AM

GULF SHORES, Ala. -- City officials issued a press release late Thursday morning stating that there is no reason yet to believe that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will impact Alabama beaches. Full story »

April 29, 2010, 5:00AM

MOBILE, Ala. -- Local environmental organizations called for cleanup volunteers as emergency agencies in Mobile and Baldwin counties -- many of them staffed by unpaid workers -- cobbled together often scant resources Wednesday in preparation for the possibility of oil on local beaches and in local waterways. Full story »

April 29, 2010, 5:00AM

A major disaster declaration, which must be requested by the governor of a particular state, entitles residents in affected areas to money for housing, medical bills and other immediate expenses. Full story »